Researchers discover antibody that can neutralize all known COVID-19 variants

Vaccines have tremendously helped the world in its fight against COVID-19. However, the newer variants seem to create the need for different boosters to fight them. But now, scientists have discovered an antibody called SP1-77 that neutralizes all known COVID-19 variants,

Researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital and Duke University together discovered it during a mouse study, and the findings were published in the journal Science Immunology. 

The antibody was created after researchers modified a mouse model that was originally made to search for neutralizing antibodies to HIV, which also mutates, a report says. Mice have built-in human immune systems that mimic the way our immune systems develop better antibodies when we’re exposed to a pathogen. 

Infusible to patients, antibodies are so powerful in neutralizing the coronavirus they could eliminate the need for more vaccine boosters. 

The antibody, however, works in a slightly different way than the other antibodies that are used to make vaccines. However, the study was done on mice, so it isn’t clear what impact it might have. Experts say that the study is still in the early stages, but if it looks promising.